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The Navy's Part in the Acquisition of 
California, 1846-1848 

By ROBERT WILDEN NEESER 




Reprinted from the United States Naval 

Institute Proceedings, Vol. 34, 

No. 1, Whole No. 125. 



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[COPYRIGHTED.] 

U. S. NAVAL INSTITUTE, ANNAPOLIS, MD. 



THE NAVY'S PART IN THE ACQUISITION OF 
CALIFORNIA, 1846- 1848. 

By Robert Wilden Neeser. 



Although the war between the United States and Mexico 
actually began on April 24, 1846, the relations between the two 
countries for the past two years had been daily becoming more 
and more strained. 1 As early as October, 1842, Commodore John 
D. Sloat, who commanded the American squadron in the Pacific 
ocean, had received intelligence which induced him to believe that 
M xico had declared war against the United States;" he accord- 
ingly took possession of the town and bay of Monterey, but two 
days later withdrew his forces upon learning that the relations 
between the two nations were still peaceful. On the 24th of June, 
1845, ne received confidential instructions from the Secretary of 
the Navy, George Bancroft, calling his " attention to the present 
aspect of the relations between this country and Mexico," notify- 
ing him that it was the earnest desire of the President to pursue a 
policy of peace, and directing him to be " assiduously careful to 
avoid any act of aggression." ' But, at the same time, if Mexico 
should be " resolutely bent on hostilities," he should at once employ 
the forces under his command to the best advantage ; and one of 
his first acts should be to take possession of the port of San Fran- 
cisco, and occupy or blockade such other Mexican ports in the 
Pacific, which were generally open and defenseless, as his forces 
might warrant. Should he occupy San Francisco and other Mexi- 
can ports, he was to take care to preserve, if possible, the most 
friendly relations with the inhabitants, and, if practicable, induce 
them to adopt a course of neutrality. In his report to the Presi- 

1 Burgess, 329. 

2 Capron, 37. 

'Letter of Geo. Bancroft to Com. Sloat, Report Sec. of Navy (1846), 378. 



268 Navy's Part in the Acquisition of California. 

dent, the Secretary of the Navy says that Commodore Sloat 
" observed the line of conduct prescribed to him with such intelli- 
gence and fidelity that no complaint has ever been made of any 
unauthorized aggression on his part." 

On May 13. 1846, Secretary Bancroft wrote again to the com- 
modore, informing him that the events alluded to in his letter of 
June, 1845, h a d taken place, and directing him to carry out the in- 
structions then given him with " energy and promptitude." * 
Long before these orders could reach the Pacific coast. Commodore 
Sloat had acted with all the required energy and promptitude. 

On June 7, 1846, while lying at Mazatlan, he had received con- 
clusive information through Mexico, 5 " that the Mexican troops, 
six or seven thousand strong, had, by order of the Mexican gov- 
ernment, invaded the territory of the United States, north of the 
Rio Grande, and had attacked the forces under General Taylor, 
and that the squadron of the United States was blockading the 
ports of Mexico on the Gulf." Properly considering these hos- 
tilities as justifying his commencing offensive operations on the 
west coast, he, on the following day, sailed in the frigate Savan- 
nah for the coast of California. He reached Monterey on the 2d 
of July, and there found the Cyanc and Levant, which had been 
previously ordered forward, awaiting the outbreak of hostilities. 

Upon his arrival, however, the commodore found that the spirit 
manifested towards the Americans was so different from what he 
had expected to find, that he hesitated for several days to raise 
the American flag over the town. But on July 6, he decided to 
assume the responsibility of such an act, preferring, as he himself 
expressed it, to be sacrificed, if he had to be, " for doing too much 
than too little." 

On the following morning, July 7, 1846. he sent Captain Mer- 
vine on shore with a summons to the military commandant of 
Monterey, for its immediate surrender to the United States. Re- 
ceiving an unfavorable reply, the commodore landed a force of 
two hundred and fifty sailors and marines, which took possession 
of the town and hoisted the American flag over the custom house. 7 
In his proclamation to the inhabitants, Sloat said that henceforth 

4 Hittell, 458. 

'Official Report of Com. Sloat to Secretary of Navy, July 31, 1846. 

6 Report of Secretary of Navy, 1846, p. 378. 

7 Report of Com. Sloat to Secretary of Navy, July 31, 1846. Report of 
of the Secretary of the Navy to the President, 1846, p. 640. 



Navy's Part in the Acquisition of California. 269 

California would be a portion of the United States, and that its 
peaceful inhabitants would enjoy all the rights and protection 
granted to American citizens. s 

Such were the circumstances of the seizure of California by the United 
States. It was a war measure ; hut it was a measure contemplated and 
determined on before the war. It was a seizure with the intention and for 
the purpose of holding the country permanently as a conquest. There 
were elements of violence and aggression in the purposes of those who 
planned. But in some important respects it differed from other conquests 
of foreign territory which the world has witnessed. It was a conquest, 
advantageous indeed to the conquerors, but no less so to the con- 
quered. It was a conquest by which the conquered were to be made a 
part and parcel of, and enjoy the same rights and privileges as, the con- 
querors. It was a conquest which could hardly have been possible in any 
other part of the globe or conceived by any other people than those of the 
United States. With the exception of the impracticable guaranty of the 
quiet possession of land held under mere color of right, every word of 
Sloat's proclamation was the voice of the United States speaking through 
him ; and all that it promised, and more than all, was accomplished and 
effectuated by the result. For these reasons the document, little atten- 
tion as has hitherto been paid to it, is one of the most interesting and 
significant state papers in the American archives. 9 

Meanwhile, on July 6, the day before the seizure of Monterey, 
the commodore had sent orders to Commander Montgomery, com- 
manding the sloop-of-war Portsmouth, then stationed in the Bay 
of San Francisco, announcing to him his determination, and order- 
ing him to hoist the flag of the United States at Yerba Buena 
(San Francisco) and to take possession of the surrounding 
country. 10 Sloat's message reached Montgomery on July 8. The 
following morning a force was landed and the American flag 
hoisted in front of the custom house in the public square, amid the 
cheers of the assembled people." When the ceremonies of taking 
possession were over, the seamen, with a small portion of the 
marines, returned to the ship, leaving Lieutenant Watson, with a 
small guard, as military occupants of the post. Soon after the with- 
drawal of the sailors, the male residents of Yerba Buena, capable 
of bearing arms, were called together, and enrolled into a volun- 
teer company of thirty-two, which was to assist the United States 
forces in case of an attack by the enemy. In the afternoon of the 

s Proclamation of Com. Sloat to the inhabitants of California, July 7, 
1846. 

9 Hittell, 466. 

10 Letter of Com. Sloat to Com. J. B. Montgomery, July 6, 1846. 

11 Report .of Com. Montgomery to Com. Sloat, July 9, 1846. Report of 
Secretary of Navy to President, 1846, 640. 



270 Navy's Part in the Acquisition of California. 

same day, a portion of the volunteers, under Lieut. T. S. Mosroon, 
took possession of the fort at the entrance of the harbor. Notwith- 
standing the fact that the fort was in a delapidated condition, the 
American flag was raised on its ramparts ; and from that time on 
the Stars and Stripes have maintained their " sleepless watch " 
over the Golden Gate. 

On the same day that Commander Montgomery took possession 
of Yerba Buena, a detachment under Lieut. J. W. Revere landed 
at the town of Sonoma and occupied it ; I2 and two days later Mont- 
gomery was able to report to his superior that the United States 
flag was then flying also at Sutter's fort on the Sacramento, and 
at Bodega on the coast ; and that everywhere, on account of the 
protection it promised to persons and property, it had been hailed 
with satisfaction. 13 

Immediately after seizing Monterey, Commodore Sloat des- 
patched a courier to General Jose Castro, 14 the military command- 
ant of California, with a copy of his proclamation and a letter, 
demanding the immediate surrender of all the troops, arms and 
public property under his control, so as to prevent the sacrifice of 
human life and the horrors of war which might otherwise become 
inevitable. 15 At the same time he invited him to a conference at 
Monterey to arrange the terms of a capitulation, and receive for 
himself, and his troops, with the people of California, " assurances 
of perfect safety to themselves and property." To this letter Cas- 
tro replied two days later, but instead of answering the proposi- 
tions contained in it, he devoted his entire paper to certain occur- 
rences which had taken place at Sonoma. 10 

While this correspondence was going on, the commodore hit 
upon the excellent idea of organizing a company of dragoons, in 
order to keep open the communications between Monterey and 
San Francisco, and to protect the people of the country from vio- 
lence. 1 ' This force consisted of thirty-five men, and was placed 
under the command of Purser D. Fauntleroy. On the 17th of 
July, Fauntleroy was ordered to reconnoitre the country between 
San Jose and San Juan Baptista, and to hoist the American flag at 
the latter place. Upon his arrival, however, he found the town 

12 Report of Lieut. Revere to Com. Montgomery, July 11, 1846. 
''Report of Com. Montgomery to Com. Sloat, July 11, 1846. 

14 Report of Com. Sloat to Secretary of Navy, July 31, 1846. 

15 Letter of Com. Sloat to Don Jose Castro, July 7, 1846. 
10 Letter of Don J. Castro to Com. J. Sloat, July 9, 1846. 

17 Report of Com. Sloat to Secretary of Navy, July 31, 1846. 



Navy's Part in the Acquisition of California. 271 

already in possession of Captain Fremont. The two then marched 
back to Monterey ; and from that time on the country was in the 
quiet and undisputed possession of the United States forces. 1 ' 

However peaceable the condition of these lately acquired pos- 
sessions may have seemed to the conquerors, yet to the Cali- 
fornians it did not appear in the same light. Many of them, es- 
pecially that portion of them who were most hostile to the Ameri- 
cans, firmly believed that the British would interfere and side 
with them against the invaders. But they were soon undeceived. 
Whatever may have been the designs of the British Admiral, Sir 
George F. Seymour, he gave no trouble to the Americans. About 
a week after Sloat's arrival at Monterey, he sailed into the harbor 
with his flagship, the 80-gun ship Colling-a'ood, and was imme- 
diately tended the " usual courtesies and facilities of the port " by 
the American commodore. The friendly intercourse and recipro- 
cal exchange of kindness subsisting between the two. firmly con- 
vinced the Californians of the uselessness of their hopes, and they 
" abandoned all hope of ever seeing the Mexican flag fly in Cali- 
fornia again." 19 

Previous to this, on July 11, the British 26-gun ship Juno had 
sailed into the Bay of San Francisco, 2 " and anchored at San Solita. 
On her appearance. Commander Montgomery made preparations 
to defend his post, but the British commander, after staying a few 
days, sailed without showing any intentions of interference; and 
a few days subsequently — July 23 — Admiral Seymour left Mon- 
terey for the Sandwich Islands. 21 Thus, though some apprehen- 
sions were still felt of opposition on the part of England, the 
British naval officers in the Pacific had not shown any disposition 
to interfere ; and there was nothing for the Californians to do but 
to submit or fight their battle alone." 

On July 15, the day before Seymour's arrival, the FT. S. frigate 
Congress, Commodore R. F. Stockton, reached Monterey. 23 Stock- 
ton reported for duty to Commodore Sloat ; but the latter's health 
was in such a precarious state that he determined to relinquish 

ls Hittel. 572; Ex. Doc, 2, Sess. 30, Cong. HR. No. 1, p. 1008. 
u ' Report of Com. Sloat to Secretary of Navy, July 31, 1846. 
'•"Report of Com. Montgomery to Com. Sloat, July 11, 1846. 

21 Report of Com. Sloat to Secretary of Navy, July 31, 1846. Hittell. 573. 

22 Ex. Doc, 2, Sess. 30. Cong. HR, No. 1, pp. 1008, 1020, 1028, 1030. 

21 Report of Com. Stockton to Secretary of Navy, July 31. 1846; Naval 
Institute Proceedings, 420. 



2-J2 Navy's Part in the Acquisition of California. 

his command to the former, and return to the United States. He 
accordingly, on July 23, transferred the command of the squadron 
to Stockton, and on the 29th sailed for the United States." 4 

Commodore Sloat, in transferring- the command of the squadron 
in the Pacific to Stockton, had directed him " to assume command 
of the forces and operations on shore." ' Zi Stockton immediately 
raised a body of 160 volunteers, known as the " Battalion of Cali- 
fornia Volunteers," " 5 and placed them under the command of Cap- 
tain Fremont. On the same day— July 23— Fremont was ordered 
to embark with his troops on board the ship Cyanc, Com. S. F. 
DuPont, which was to convey them to San Diego."" The purpose 
of this expedition was to cut off the retreat of General Castro, 
and thereby prevent his escape across the Colorado river into 
Sonora. But unfortunately, when Fremont reached San Diego, he 
was unable to procure any horses to mount his men. and although 
he had arrived on the 29th of July, it was not until the 8th of 
August that he was able to move." 7 

In the meanwhile, Stockton had sailed in the Congress for San 
Pedro, U. C. On the way he landed at Santa Barbara, of which 
he took possession, and leaving a small force for its defense, he 
proceeded to San Pedro, where he arrived on the 6th of August. 
A force of 400 men and some artillery was immediately landed, 
which captured the place." 8 The following day two commis- 
sioners, empowered to enter into negotiations for a cessasion of 
hostilities, arrived from General Castro. They demanded, how- 
ever, as a preliminary to treating, that Stockton should not leave 
his present position, but this demand the commodore absolutely 
refused to grant. Preparations were at once begun for the 
march into the interior, and four days later the commodore left 
San Pedro for Los Angeles. The Californians had entrenched 
themselves about three miles from the city on the " table-land 
known as the Mesa." 1 On the 12th of August, as they were 
approaching this strong position, the Americans were met by 
another of Castro's envoys. He was commissioned to deliver a 
pompous message, informing the commodore " That if he marched 

24 Report of Com. Sloat to Secretary of Navy, July 31, 1846. 

25 Report of Com. Stockton to Secretary of Navy, Feb. 18, 1848. 
28 Naval Institute Proceedings, 420. 

17 Hittell, 583. 

2N Report of Com. Stockton to Secretary of Navy, Feb. 18, 1848. 

"'■' Life of Com. Stockton, 122 ; Hittell, 584. 



Navy's Part in the Acquisition of California. 273 

upon the town he would find it the grave of his men." " Then." 
replied the old sailor, " tell your general to have the bells ready to 
toll in the morning at eight o'clock, as I shall be there at that 
time. 

He arrived on time, but the Californian general was unwilling 

to risk a battle, and fled without awaiting the commodore's 

approach. Ciudad de los Angeles capitulated unconditionally, 

and, on the 13th of August, Stockton took possession of the capi- 

., tal of California. 51 

The effect of this successful expedition, though achieved with- 
out bloodshed, was equivalent to the most triumphant victory. 
The flight of Castro, the dispersion of Ins troops, the capture 
of Los Angeles, the dissolution of the legislature, and, indeed, of 
the government — by the flight of the general and governor-in- 
chief 31 — and the general submission of the inhabitants, apparently 
terminated all hostilities in California." 1 

Commodore Stockton was averse to the continuance of martial 
law after the submission of the peopie. But, as many of the civil 
authorities of the former government were unwilling to act under 
the new state of affairs, the commodore ordered an election to 
fill their places. The election was duly held (September 15) and 
the officers elected at once proceeded to the discharge of their 
duties. Major Fremont was appointed military commandant of 
the territory, and a battalion of volunteers raised. Thus in little 
more than a month after the expedition started from Monterey, 
the new government, civil and military, was organized and put in 
operation, with every indication that the people of California 
would acquiesce in submission to it without further resistance. 31 

Unfortunately this belief was badly founded, for no sooner had 
Commodore Stockton left Los Angeles, than Pico and Flores, re- 
gardless of their paroles not to serve again during the war, 
secretly collected the remnants of their scattered forces, and re- 
solved upon another attempt to drive out the Americans. "' 

They began their operations by retaking Los Angeles, which 
had been garrisoned by a force of less than one hundred men 
under Major Gillespie. Santa Barbara was likewise captured, 
and San Diego closely besieged. Encouraged by these successes, 
Pico and Flores issued " a flaming proclamation, calling upon 
their countrymen to rise in defense of California, and drive out the 

30 Colton's 30 years in California. 

31 Report of Com. Stockton to Secretary of Navy, Feb. 18, 1848. 



274 Navy's Part in the Acquisition of California. 

insolent invaders from their soil. They pretty generally responded 
to the call, and an army of about a thousand mounted men was 
soon collected." 3132 

As soon as Commodore Stockton was informed of these events, 
he made prompt arrangements for quelling the insurrection. Col- 
onel Fremont was summoned to San Francisco with his force of 
volunteers ; and the commodore himself proceeded in the Con- 
gress to San Diego. 

Upon his arrival there, he found the place still besieged, and 
the garrison reduced to severe straits. All the male inhabitants 
had abandoned the town, leaving the women and children depen- 
dent upon the Americans. In addition to these unfavorable cir- 
cumstances, in attempting to enter the harbor, the Congress 
grounded and was in danger of tumbling over ; and while a part 
of the crew was engaged in extricating her from her position, the 
enemy commenced an attack upon the town. A portion of the 
crew of the vessel was immediately landed, and, after a severe 
action, repulsed the enemy .** 

As soon as the ship could be gotten off, and securely anchored 
in the harbor, all the marines and sailors, that could be spared, 
were landed from the frigates Congress and Savannah, and prepa- 
rations begun for the march on Ciudad de Los Angeles. On the 
29th of December the advance was begun. The forces under Com- 
modore Stockton consisted of about five hundred men. On the 
way (as usual) they were met by commissioners from Flores, with 
propositions for a truce, but these the commodore refused. 33 On 
January 8, 1847, upon reaching the San Gabriel river, about ten 
miles from Los Angeles, the enemy were discovered posted on the 
opposite bank of the stream. 332 Their forces consisted of about 
six hundred mounted men and four pieces of artillery, advan- 
tageously posted on the bank about fifty feet above the level of 
the river. The Americans immediately crossed under a galling 
fire, and posted their guns on the opposite bank, from whence they 
opened fire upon the enemy. While the attacking party was be- 
ing formed, some of the Californians charged upon their flank, 
but were met with so hot a reception that they fell back ; and 
about the same time they withdrew their artillery also further 
back. The Americans then charged up the hill, but the enemy 

'Life of Com. R. F. Stockton, 128. 

: Report of Com. Stockton to Secretary of Navy, Feb. 18, 1848. 
" Report of Com. Stockton to Secretary of Navy, Feb. 5, 1847. 



Navy's Part in the Acquisition of California. 275 

abandoned their position before they reached the top, leaving the 
victors in possession of the field, near which they encamped for 
the night. 3 '' 

On the following morning the Americans resumed their ad- 
vance upon Los Angeles. After proceeding a few miles across 
the plains of the Mesa, the Californian cavalry appeared upon 
their flanks, and soon their main position came into view. As 
soon as the Americans came into range, their artillery opened fire, 
while their cavalry made a furious charge on both flanks. The 
Americans at once formed a square, and in this position easily re- 
pulsed the attack of the enemy ; who then retired northward." 
The Americans continued to advance and on the morning of the 
10th of January, 1847, they took possession of the capital. 

These two battles, of San Gabriel and the Mesa, decided the fate 
of California. The people made a brave and gallant effort to 
maintain the supremacy of Mexico, and had they had better 
leaders, they surely would have succeeded. Their scattered forces, 
still under Flores, a few days after their defeat, met the American 
" California battalion " under Colonel Fremont, and, being unable 
to offer any assistance, were compelled to surrender. By the 
terms of the capitulation — treaty of Corvanga — the Californians 
were pardoned for all past hostilities, were free to go to their 
homes on giving up their public arms, and promising not to take 
up arms again during the war. They were guaranteed protection, 
with all the privileges of American citizens, without being required 
to take the oath of allegiance. 1 " This last blow effectually broke 
the spirit of resistance to American authority. 

Such was the occupation of California. In the opinion of Bur- 
gess, it was of the most vital importance to the United States. It 
is the way to Asia. Its government by Mexico was a farce. It 
would have been purchased or seized by Great Britain, or some 
other commercial power, if the United States had not taken pos- 
session of it. Nothing was known of its vast mineral wealth at 
the time. Mere greed therefore, did not prompt the movement. 
It was a great and correct stroke of public policy, supported by 
geographical, commercial, and political reasons. 37 

35 Report of Com. Stockton to Secretary of Navy, Feb. 5, 1847, and Feb. 
18, 1848. 

36 Copy of the Articles of Capitulation, in Report of Secretary of Navy 
to the President. 1848, p. 1067. 

S7 Burgess, 332. 



276 Navy's Part in the Acquisition of California. 
BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

PRIMARY SOURCES. 

Official Letters and Reports of Corns. Sloat, Stockton, and other officers 
engaged to the Secretary of the Navy, 1846-8. 

The War with Mexico: The Cruise of the U. S. Ship Cyanc during the 
Years 1845-8. From Papers of her commander, the late Rear-Admiral 
S. F. DuPont. Naval Institute Proceedings, 1882, Vol. VIII, No. 3. 

Reports of the Secretary of the Navy for 1848, 1847, and 1846. 

secondary sources. 
H. H. Bancroft: History of California, 1846-8. Vol. V, San Francisco, 

1886; History of Mexico. 
Colton, W. : Three Years in California, N. Y., 1850. 
Collum: History of the U. S. Marine Corps, Boston, 1901. 
Headley: Farragut and Our Naval Commanders. 
Dawson : Battles of the U. S. by Sea and Land. 
Maclay, E. S. : A History of the U. S. Navy, Vol. II, N. Y., 1899. 
Emmons, G. F. : Statistical History of the U. S. N., Washington, 1853- 
Cooper, J. F. : History of the Navy of the U. S., 3 v., 1856. 
Bennett: The Steam Navy of the United States. 
Hamersly: A Naval Encyclopedia. 
Tomes: Battles of America by Sea and Land. 
Aldrich, M. A. : History of the U. S. Marine Corps, Boston, 1875. 
A Sketch of the Life of Com. R. F. Stockton, etc., N. Y., 1856. 
Livermore, A. A. : The Mexican War Reviewed, Boston, 1850. 
Greenhow, R. : History of Oregon and California, Boston, 1845- 
Capron, E. S. : History of California, Boston, 1854. 
Wilcox, C. M. : History of the Mexican War, Washington, 1892. 
Willey, S. H. : The Transition Period of California, etc., San Franciso 

1901. 
Burgess, J. W. : The Middle Period, 1817-1858, N. Y., 1900. 
Hittell, T. H. : History of California, San Francisco, 1898 (Vol. II). 



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